 Re: What is life like inside Mountain view prison for women?
MT view is a maximum, security prison in Gatesville TX a prison town in central TX There are in all there are 4 other female units Crain ,Murray , Hilltop and Woodman state jail and a maximum security male unit Hughes. in all over nearly 12,000 prisoners are incarcerated in Gatesville mostly women .This does not include the nearly 2,000 women 40 miles away on Hobby in Marlin Try Google earth to get an idea of the size of this massive prison complex type in 1401 state school rd Gatesville TX and scroll around .
. Mt view houses approximately 600 females offenders . Mostly those who are serving life or very long sentences . It also houses high profile female offenders and some who would be at risk on the other units .It houses TX Female Death Row . They can be housed in dorms where they live in cubicle ,Two person cells on open cell blocks one person cells if they are in seg or PC . All offenders except those in seg or PC work for no pay in TDCJ they depend on friends and family for commissary money . In TDCJ offenders call commissary store. Offenders in Seg and PC do not work
Their unpaid “ jobs “ vary from field squad AKA hoe squad, clerical jobs unit maintenance , landscaping , kitchen jobs just about everything but guards, medical staff and jobs that give them access to other offenders information . TDCJ Depends on convicts to run the units creating the false impression of keeping cost low . their job will vary with their classification all TDCJ units have trusties all maximum security units have every level of offender on them .
They can attend courses and other programs as offered if they are not in Seg PC or DR . They also can go out to they yard for rec and or watch TV in the day room some chose to spend little time in the day room due to the drama that can go on . They cannot and do not have TVs in their cells only those in the GRAD program have this . They are allowed a radio and head phones .t o listen to . Life is generally the same from, day to day . You probably will want to talk with her about her days and life there it shows a interest in her and her situation as well as giving her a outlet to express her frustration with it. TDCJ if anything can be frustrating .It also shows concern for her .
Food is usually bland on TDCJ units it is not what some make it out to be either . It is institutional food and on some units they have to prepare meals for 3,000 .
You can also email her via JPAY see their site to set up a free account you pay for the services you use . .Any one can do this if you are so inclined you can also use this for fee service to put funds into her account . Jpay is not affiliated with any DOC or The federal BOP
She cannot call you as you are overseas TDCJ offenders not in SEG or DR can make calls to those on their visiting list they are allowed 10 people on their list. TDCJ prisoners cannot receive anything other than letters photos and where available email from you . you can send via a vendor books calenders , and stationary Amazon seems most popular.
TX is considered one of the harshest places to do time . I can say it is very harsh having done time in TDCJ on a male unit . Things such as photos especially colorful ones taken out doors are always welcomed as is mail and Emails . From all accounts the offenders really love getting Emails in between letters This in turn helps with behavior while incarcerated and lowering recidivism . Your friend if you ask will tell you there are women who have not received mail or visits in years . If you develop a friendship eventually she will ask for help. TDCJ offenders cannot ask those not on their visiting list for funds She will also tell you about things there . You will read some unpleasant things on occasion . There are many ways to encourage her and be a friend to her . |